York meet question for one who's never attended?

Do you have to be a member?  You can go once as the guest of a member (without joining). 

Hard to say which is better.  Lionel and MTH both tend to gear announcements and catalogs to both meets.  Bachmann said that for Williams they announce new products at April York.  You really can't go wrong with either one.  October is at the start of the traditional winter "hobby season" and shortly before the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays.  But I have never felt that the April meet was not as good as the October one.

Yes, you have to be a member to attend.  Unless, you know a member then you can go as their guest.  Although, some people pick up their badges at the show.  I'm sure if you just showed up, and asked around, someone would take you in as their guest.  Maybe.  York is not open to the public. 

To join the TCA, membership dues just went up to $50.00 per year.  Many people, including me, keep a membership just to attend York.

To me, either show is just as good as the other.  Usually the same vendors show up with most of the same stuff from last show.

York is always exciting because their is so much to see.  And, you never know what you may find.  3 vendor halls and about 4 or 5 member halls plus a hall for a train display.  And all food you can eat.

Rick

If and when you go try to allow time to see everything if possible. Plan on attending at least two days if possible.

There is also something to be said about making a deal on Saturday so the person selling doesn't have to pack the item back up

If you think that you will only be able to attend York once, and if none of the other benefits of membership are of interest to you, then it is best to go as a guest.  Many people at the meet would be willing to sign you in, but it would be easier if you arranged to meet someone ahead of time and have them sign you in.

Andy

Join TCA - after you go to one York, you will want to go again and again.  Don't let the naysayers get you down - $50/yr is a bargain - the magazine, the museum, support for the hobby, and York.  After you join, go a day early to York and visit the museum, Strasburg RR, Choo Choo Barn, and the PA RR museum - all of those attractions are within a half mile of each other.

You don't have to join until you decide to go, just factor the $50 into the price of going at that time.

Or if you ask around it is pretty easy to find someone to sponsor you for the first "guest" visit.

York will blow your mind. The world's greatest hobby show is big but York is that much bigger. Either one in October or April is no difference. It's one massive size show.